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Watson back in Australian ODI squad

Shane Watson is booked on Australia's last plane to India next week after being recalled to the one-day squad to open the batting for the remaining home internationals against the West Indies.

Watson is determined to return as an opener in the Test team for the four-match tour of India after temporarily abandoning his role as an allrounder.

But only time will tell whether coming back through the 50-over format will give Watson the best chance of earning a promotion in the Test batting order.

Cricket Australia announced the 17-man Test squad will leave for India in three instalments - on Thursday, Saturday and Monday.

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Instead of sending Watson over with the first group on February 7 to maximise his preparation in the sub-continent, CA decided three one-day hit-outs would best suit the vice-captain who is now playing as a batsman and won't bowl.

In theory, Australia could have chosen more Test-like preparation and have Watson playing for NSW in a first-class match against Tasmania starting on Wednesday.

But, regardless of it being a short-form match, Watson will be desperate to spend quality time in the middle against the Windies in Canberra on Wednesday and in Sydney on Friday as he amps up his comeback from a nagging calf muscle problem.

The injury-prone Watson has played a Sydney club game and an interstate one-dayer.

Watson replaces Usman Khawaja in the one-day squad, with Khawaja one of eight players to fly to India on Thursday and make up the bulk of the team for the first of two tour matches starting on February 12 in Chennai.

A host of big names led by Watson and captain Michael Clarke will wait until February 11 to fly out and won't play in the first practice match.

Khawaja, Jackson Bird, Ed Cowan, Moises Henriques, Nathan Lyon, James Pattinson, Peter Siddle and Steve Smith will leave on February 7 and get the maximum chance to prepare in Indian conditions.

After playing the fourth ODI in Sydney on Friday, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade and David Warner will depart on Saturday - and also be likely starters in the first practice.

By that time, Warner is expected to have recovered from his thumb injury.

National selector John Inverarity announced 19-year-old left-arm spin bowler Ashton Agar would also accompany the players departing on February 9.

Agar will play in the first warm-up match and his spin bowling in the nets will provide extra practice for Australia's batsmen trying to adapt to slow pitches.

In the final group of players departing after Sunday's final ODI are Clarke, Watson, Xavier Doherty, Mitchell Starc, Phillip Hughes and Mitchell Johnson.

Inverarity said selectors had tried to find the right balance in playing and preparing when deciding the departure dates.

"Shane Watson comes back into the squad against West Indies as an opening batsman. Shane has recovered from his injury and we look forward to seeing him get back to his best," Inverarity said.

Inverarity said West Australian Agar had shown promise in the Sheffield Shield this season and deserved a chance to enhance his development.

"He will provide ideal practice for the batsmen in the lead-up to the first Test in Chennai," Inverarity said.